Manushi Chhillar Opens Up on Retaking NEET 2015 After Paper Leak: ‘It Was Incredibly Tough’

Actor and former Miss World Manushi Chhillar has opened up about the emotional and mental strain of retaking.

The NEET 2015 examination after the paper leak, describing it as “one of the toughest phases” of her life. Her remarks come at a time when exam integrity is once again under the spotlight following nationwide protests over paper leaks, which culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Speaking on actor Soha Ali Khan’s podcast, Chhillar reflected on the challenges of preparing for one of India’s most competitive entrance exams and the uncertainty that followed when candidates were asked to appear for the test again after the paper leak.

“There are two aspects to this. One is my personal experience, and the other is understanding the reality that most students in the country face,” she said.

Although her parents, both doctors, had experienced the same journey and helped her prepare mentally, Chhillar said the process demanded enormous personal sacrifices.

“It was still incredibly difficult because I had to sacrifice everything that brought me joy. I was a Kuchipudi dancer, I loved painting, and I had to put all of that aside for a year to focus entirely on my entrance exam,” she said.

Calling it one of the hardest periods of her life, Chhillar added that many aspirants faced circumstances far more challenging than hers. She recalled meeting students whose families had taken loans to pay for coaching, while others had moved away from home and lived in cramped paying-guest accommodations, dedicating every day to preparing for the examination.

The decision to conduct the exam again after the paper leak meant extending her preparation by another 45 days, something she described as emotionally exhausting.

“You begin to wonder how much more you have left to give,” she said, while acknowledging the privilege of having a supportive family that helped her navigate the pressure.

Chhillar credited her parents for insisting she set aside an hour every day for physical activity, whether playing basketball or going to the gym. The routine, she said, became a crucial outlet that protected her mental well-being during the intense preparation phase.

“I had that support system. Many of my peers didn’t have that luxury,” she said.

Born in Rohtak, Haryana, Chhillar studied medicine before winning the Miss World 2017 crown, becoming the sixth Indian to claim the title. She made her Bollywood debut with Samrat Prithviraj (2022) opposite Akshay Kumar and has since appeared in The Great Indian Family (2023), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024) and Tehran (2025), starring alongside John Abraham.